Dover Buries Time Capsule to Preserve 2022 for Future Generations
Local dignitaries and competition winners gathered by the historic Maison Dieu to witness a time capsule being buried deep underground, securing a piece of 2022 for centuries to come. The community-driven project aims to connect the town’s rich history with its future.
Community Unites Behind Dover Time Capsule
The Friends of Dover Castle, supporting English Heritage, teamed up with Dover District Council, the Reawakening the Maison Dieu Project, and the Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment and Queen’s Regiment Museum. Their goal? To weave closer ties between Dover Castle and the town through this unique initiative.
The Dover Community Time Capsule Project first kicked off last September during Heritage Open Days. Local groups and societies were invited to suggest meaningful items to include. Winners from Dover Castle’s Art and Storytelling competitions saw their entries displayed at the castle—and immortalised in the capsule.
Throughout spring and summer, joint events at the Maison Dieu, the regiment’s museum, and other community gatherings gave residents a chance to enter their ideas. Over 20 winning suggestions came from adults, teenagers, and children alike.
What’s Buried Beneath Dover?
The capsule contains a fascinating mix of personal stories and historic artefacts, including:
- Official Platinum Jubilee photograph of HM Queen Elizabeth II
- HM The Queen Official Platinum Jubilee Souvenir Book – 70 Glorious Years
- Queen’s Baton Relay flag
- DVD of HM The Queen’s Funeral Procession and Ceremony
- Proclamation of HM King Charles III
- Photos of Dover and Dover Castle
- Newspapers documenting record summer temperatures
- Air quality records
- Local club items – ATC badges, police cadet lanyard, Rotary Club badge
- Popular music and fashion items, including Nike Air trainers
- Ukrainian flag
- Covid test kits
- Port of Dover Royal Charter
- DVD of Dover Film Festival
- Plans for the Reawakening the Maison Dieu project
- Dover District Council Local Plan to 2040
- A fired clay dragon from Claydate 2022
Local Voices on the Time Capsule
“I wanted the Dover of 2022 to be remembered positively by people in 100 years’ time,” said Graham Hutchison, Chairman of Friends of Dover Castle and head of the project.
“We are a great town, a great district and a great community. Dover is a fantastic place to work, live, and visit, boasting over 100 attractions and standing as a world-class destination for tourists.”
“The capsule brought the community together after the challenges of the pandemic. It also boosted our Friends membership and helped promote our castle – The Lock and Key to the Kingdom – to locals.”
Deputy Leader of Dover District Council, Cllr Oliver Richardson, added: “This superb initiative fuses the ‘Reawakening the Maison Dieu’ project with a community venture. Future generations will gain incredible insight from this time ‘snapshot’.
“When our generation becomes history, part of us will live on through the discovery of this capsule.”
